Patients & Family

Conflict Resolutions

We have set up a procedure for resolving conflicts regarding admission, treatment and/or discharge that arise between the hospital and patients and their families or guardians.

The first step in resolving a conflict is to contact the Director of Clinical Services or Administrator. Either person will serve as the focal point, representing the hospital in the resolution of the conflict along with the Governing Board.

We will notify the attending physician of any significant conflict and invite the attending physician to participate in resolving the conflict.

We will involve our Risk Management office to clarify questions of a legal nature or to manage legal decisions.

We will investigate thoroughly and respond in a timely manner, within 7 days, to all conflicts.

We may request an Ethics Consultation in those cases where conflicts persist or where the case itself presents ethical concerns. Patients, healthcare staff members or designated decision-makers for the patients can request Ethics Consultations directly by calling hospital Administration at (757) 928-8254 and asking for the Ethics Consultant.

We will try to have the same hospital representative continue to be the contact for the patient or family.

We will preserve and enforce the rights of the patient in every case.

You will have the right to request an Ethics Consultation as well as report any incident to the state survey and certification agency. We hope you will contact us if you have suggestions or concerns about patient care and safety. If you need additional assistance beyond what we provide, you may contact the Joint Commission's Office of Quality Monitoring by calling 1-800-994-6610 or by sending email to complaint@jointcommission.org.